Bean poles

Putting out the bean poles is always a sign of the vegetable plot getting into full swing. I love the height, structure and character it gives the kitchen garden. I try to avoid the use of bamboo canes as they ‘re too stark for my liking, I prefer the thicker more solid country look of hazel or chestnut stakes. We’re lucky and coppice our own from cobnut trees, but they can be cheaply bought from good garden centres and people who coppice to make chestnut fencing. Last year I went for the rustic gothic arch look for the runner beans to clamber up, this year the legumes have moved to a smaller raised bed so I’ve made less ecclesiastical wigwams from the stakes.

I started a selection of Runner Beans, Mangetout, and Dwarf French Beans off inside, these have been planted out and I will now sow extra seed directly to the vegetable bed to help extend the cropping season. This is particularly important with climbing Mangetout which do tend to fizzle out after a few months.

Climbing bean bedThe climbing bean bed

Planted MangetoutThe Mangetout planted out

Planted Runner BeansRunner Beans planted out

 

 

 

2 Replies to “Bean poles”

  1. Less ecclesiastical? I don’t know, there’s still something of the bishop’s mitre about them 🙂 Seriously, though, I love proper rustic bean poles. I just hope your legumes show their appreciation and give you a bumper drop.

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